But it is also about the art and meaning of life. Living seems more the taskmaster of the two, doesn’t it?” What are your thoughts on Pauline’s relationship with Death?ġ9) This novel asks us to look unflinchingly at Death. I’m strangely at peace with what I used to think of as my enemy. “I no longer fear Death, though I know I should.

Would they have been more 'conventional?'ġ8) Pauline ponders the loss of an infant, her youngest child and her new relationship with Death. It begs the questions as to how the girls would have turned out if their mother had lived. BUT, just like in real life, these people are all going to live w/ their losses as totally-changed, damaged human beings.

How can she turn this down?ġ6) If we were made of stone or iron, we would be impervious to disease and injury and disaster, but then we could not give love and receive love, could we?ġ7) So things work out for most everyone. Would you have understood the loss of life? Do you now?ġ5) Pauline is called upon by the church to help deliver food and supplies to a run down part of the city. Are there really all good choices, or all bad choices?ĩ) What will happen to them as they head into the Depression and later World War II?ġ1) Would you do anything to save someone who appeared to need saving?ġ2)Ĝan love cover wounds so deep they cause you do things you would never have thought of?ġ3) Would you have done, as Maggie did in taking Alex home to “replace” the baby brother that was lost?ġ4) What would you have thought reading this book before Covid 19 changed your view of global pandemics.

1) Where the title comes from or ties into story line? 2)Ěre we supposed to believe tha …more I know this is late, however hopefully this helps someone else.ġ) Where the title comes from or ties into story line?Ģ)Ěre we supposed to believe that little Ursula, who is delirious, dying and has found her mother dead, put together a pencil box of mementoes and grabbed it as she chased Maggie? Otherwise where did it come from?ģ) How old are the daughters supposed to be?Ĥ) Would you recommend this book for an incoming Freshman in high school as a book club book?ĥ) They move into the funeral home so how could this book not be about death, given the business?Ħ)Ĝan you imagine how many countless families had similar true stories like this?ħ) Why do we need four narrators when they all live in the same place and their sections all sound the same?Ĩ)ĝespite the heartbreaks and challenges, the family looks at the choices they have to make. Sara I know this is late, however hopefully this helps someone else.

Book as bright as heaven